> What are the usual sources on a W-123 Sedan for water to enter the passenger > side front compartment? > > Any thoughts where to look first, second, third.........
Firewall behind the battery compartment (you checked there). Windshield seal, rear window seal. Sunroof drains. Hood hinge wells. The following are exerpts from emails I have in my archive on the subject... Rick Knoble '85 300 CD '87 190 DT Leo, There are numerous places that can leak both front and back. The sunroof is one of the least likely sources! In the front the windshield seal (usually rust under the seal is letting water in) the area of the hood hinges, the air inlet for the climate control system or the condensate drains (often the drain tubes are occluded or have rotted away) and rusting of the firewall under that battery tray are ALL sources for water to enter the cabin. The water WILL travel under the mats and end up in the rear footwells as that's the lowest spot in the car). Water CAN enter around the rear window (the rear package shelf is usually damp if this is the source) and migrate to the rear footwells also. To locate the source, remove the mats and have someone spray the car with a HEAVY spray while you stare at the underside of the dash with a powerful light source searching for water trails. Marshall -- Marshall Booth Rick, It can take a long time to get the water to dry in the foam backing of the carpets. Best thing is to let them soak in the sun for a few days. There are a number of ways for water to get in the car: bad windshield seal, clogged sunroof drains, rust thru behind the battery, clogged drains below the hood hinges, clogged air plenum drains on the firewall, and leaking evaporator drain tube are the usual. Wray Rick, My 1985 300D leaks through the firewall near the battery tray. To test for this, pull the mats and carpets up, and stick a garden hose such that water runs down the windshield on the passenger side. In my case, you can see it trickle down the inside of the firewall. I haven't attempted to fix it, mainly for lack of time; but I recall some postings about this very problem 2 or so years ago. Jim Thanks! Any recommendations for patching the rust holes if I can find them? Andrew 300TD 1983 ---- Original message ---- >Date: Sat, 22 May 2004 01:31:02 EDT >From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Subject: [DIESEL] Re: Lake Turbo >To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >Andrew, I agree with the hood hinge well theory. Water from the windshield >and cowl drain into the gap between the engine hood and the fenders, and can >puddle under the hood hinge springs if the drain holes are clogged with leaves >and other debris. This will cause rust-out on the body, which allows water to >drain into the cabin behind the footwell panel adjacent to the emergency brake >foot pedal. It then dribbles down under the carpet and creates Lake Turbo. >It took a lot of investigation for me to find this water path, as it is >obscured by panels and carpets. The hood springs can be removed with the engine >hood in the fully open position (vertical), then searching for rust-through holes >is much easier. > > >Gerry Reynolds >'77 300D > >> >> Andrew, Have you looked at the hood hinge wells. They seem to fill up >> easily with debris and leaves from trees. >> >> Also run your finger under the lip of the rubber seal. >> >> Richard Murdoch >> 82 240D 310K >> 82 300TDt 253K >> 83 300Dt 212K >> > >> > From: ANDREW STRASFOGEL <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> > Date: 2004/05/21 Fri AM 10:52:46 EDT >> > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> > Subject: RE: [DIESEL] Lake Turbo >> > >> > Windshield seal has a small leak, not enough to fill the >> > door cavity. The coupe has no leak in the W/S - that I'm >> > sure of. I'll check the battery tray but I doubt there's a >> > hole in the firewall. _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
